The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has introduced a new six-pillar strategic initiative known as the “Compact of the Future of Regional Integration” to redefine the bloc’s political and economic direction.
Speaking at the ongoing First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament in Abuja on Thursday, ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace and Security, Abdel-Fatau Musah described the initiative as a survival strategy aimed at deepening regional integration and strengthening responses to growing political, economic and security challenges.
Musah said the initiative was unveiled ahead of a planned special summit of regional leaders and is intended to transform ECOWAS from a body known mainly for declarations into one that delivers tangible benefits such as security, economic opportunities and digital connectivity to citizens.
According to him, the Compact is designed to implement the ECOWAS Vision 2050 and marks a shift from an elite-driven organisation to what he described as an “ECOWAS of the Peoples.”
He noted that the regional bloc is facing one of its most fragile moments since its establishment in 1975 due to governance failures, democratic setbacks and the rise of alternative alliances such as the Alliance of Sahel States involving Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger.
Musah explained that the framework emerged from consultations involving citizens, civil society groups, ECOWAS institutions, the African diaspora and regional leaders.
He said the initiative seeks to rebuild trust between governments and citizens while ensuring regional integration remains relevant and responsive to modern challenges.
The strategy is built around six pillars: sustainable economic transformation, peace and democratic governance, science and technology, social inclusion, institutional reform and ECOWAS geopolitical positioning.
Under the economic pillar, ECOWAS plans to increase intra-regional trade to 30 per cent by 2035, encourage industrialisation and food sovereignty, and introduce the ECO single currency by 2040.
On governance and security, the bloc reaffirmed its opposition to military coups and unconstitutional constitutional changes, while proposing a stronger ECOWAS Standby Force to tackle emerging threats.
The technology component aims to establish a Digital Single Market by 2030, while the social inclusion agenda seeks to raise women’s representation in leadership positions to 40 per cent and expand youth participation in governance.
Musah also said the Compact proposes reforms to make ECOWAS institutions more transparent, merit-driven and fully self-financed through the Community Levy by 2030.
He added that the framework promotes “strategic autonomy”, positioning ECOWAS as a unified regional force capable of defending West Africa’s interests in an increasingly multipolar global environment.
The document further outlines plans for dialogue and confidence-building with Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger to discourage their permanent withdrawal from ECOWAS.
To address weak implementation of previous policies, the Compact introduces monitoring mechanisms including compliance scorecards and evidence-based assessments for member states.